Abstract: A helical spacer, e.g. made of stiffly flexible nylon and having flat axially-presented surfaces, in slid onto a cylindrical mandrel, e.g. a die inside body. Flexible corrugated ribbon of expanded graphite is helically wound onto the mandrel between turns of the spacer. This assembly is placed in a tubular die outside body and tubular punches are run into the die outside body, and moved axially towards one another telescopically of the mandrel. The punches, engaging opposite turns at ends of spacer axially compress and radially expand the helix of graphite, raising its density and producing a product which, in transverse cross-section, closely resembles conventional pre-formed stuffing box packing rings made of the same ribbon starting material. The helical graphite packing stock is disassembled from the spacer and mandrel by rotation, and supplied to the trade. In use, some of the stock is telescoped onto a valve stem, or a mandrel of the same diameter as the valve stem, and cut to length, e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing thin-walled hollow shells for parts such as automobile door panels, control and instrument panels and the like includes a charge box or powder box for supplying dry thermoplastic material to separate casting surfaces on a heated mold selectively connected to the charge box during a casting process. A selectively pressurizable inflatable seal gasket is connected to the charge box for sealing a division surface on the heated mold which surface separates the casting surfaces of the mold. The inflatable seal gasket includes a base portion fixed to the charge box; an inflatable core with expandable walls to bridge the distance between the charge box and the division surface and a seal bead that sealingly engages the division surface when the seal gasket is inflated to keep the division surface clean for a subsequent application of material to form a connector bond between previously cast two tone colored segments.

Abstract: A hydraulic press includes a press plate mounted for executing working strokes and return strokes; a hydraulic countersupport braking cylinder supported at an end zone of the working stroke for engaging the press plate at an end portion of the working stroke to cause deceleration of the press plate by the hydraulic countersupport braking cylinder; and a hydraulic shock absorber connected between the press plate and the hydraulic countersupport braking cylinder. The hydraulic shock absorber is arranged for compression from an expanded state by the press plate in an end zone of the working strokes. The hydraulic shock absorber has a shock absorber chamber containing hydraulic fluid; a throttle for setting a braking force in the shock absorber chamber to a magnitude smaller than the braking force of the hydraulic countersupport braking cylinder; and a resetting arrangement for returning the shock absorber into its expanded state.

Abstract: An ice mold apparatus is set forth wherein a plurality of separable halves including a plurality of securement straps with ends secured to the lower mold half formed with resilient sections to enable expansion of the mold and prevent damage thereto during ice expansion. An overlying funnel is provided with a flange positioned within a housing on the top surface of the upper mold including a self-sealing iris diaphragm wherein the funnel may be directed through the diaphragm to enable complete filling of the mold. The mold interfacing edges are provided with a continuous seal formed within a semi-circular channel in the lower mold and further provided with a series of alignment pins registrable with openings in the upper mold for precise alignment and sealing of the mold halves.

Abstract: A hot press for pressing industrial laminates to single-layer pressed boards having at least one heating platen, and at least one press opening in which a sealing means including an expansible and retractable hose is associated with each press opening to alternatively seal and open said press opening.

Abstract: A method for making fluid seals with a mold which includes an outside diameter surface on a fixed part and a seal flange support surface on another portion of the fixed part. A seal casing with a shouldered mounting flange having major and minor out side diameters and a radial flange is positioned in the fixed mold part. A movable mold member includes an upper, outer cylindrical surface for engaging the inside surface of the casing major diameter to form a flash barrier which moves during mold closure. Both the fixed mold part and the movable mold part include inwardly directed surfaces defining the mold cavity; the flange support is apertured for the elastomer to flow from the seal body-forming part of the cavity to the gasket-forming part of the cavity. The heel-forming cavity part lies between the lower part of the insides surface of the mold and the outer surface of the casing minor diameter.

Abstract: A pipe connector comprising a moulded thermoplastics sleeve and a captive annular sealing ring.So that a root portion of the sealing ring is firmly bonded to the thermoplastics material of the sleeve, the materials are mutually compatible and the injection of the thermoplastics material during moulding has cleansed and/or scoured the root portion of the sealing ring.

Abstract: Apparatus, for molding a seal in an annular metal casing, including core and surrounding mold insert members for engaging and holding the casing against deflection during molding.In re embodiment the casing is tapered and the apparatus is configured to accommodate the casing is tapered and the apparatus is configured to accommode the casing shape.In a second embodiment concentric resilient members are provided to bias the core away from a bold base member.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a wind instrument which, for varying the pitch, is provided with keys (6), which in turn are provided with compliant seal inlays (7), and wind instrument constructed in this manner, e.g., transverse flute, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, piccolo. The seal inlays of the keys of the wind instrument, which are applied against the rim (5) of the holes (3) determining the pitch, are fitted to the rim of the holes to be closed by means of a nonrigid elastic plastic which is solidified in situ. During the molding, the keys are braced in the position corresponding to their closed position in the finished instrument by a brace which is removed after the molding or by a flexible covering which remains after the molding on the nonrigid elastic solidified plastic.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for making a plastics pipe fitting or pipe coupling by injection-molding the plastics pipe fitting or coupling body, injection-molding at least one sealing ring separately but substantially simultaneously, and bringing the body and sealing ring together directly after the molding while these components are still in a hot as-molded state, so that a direct thermal bond is formed between them comprises respective injection-molding cavities for the body and sealing ring, and a reversible support for carrying the sealing ring out of its mold and into contact with the molded body. The respective molds are opened and the components are not stripped but are brought together for bonding while still in position on respective mold members, thereby eliminating intermediate handling and ensuring that the molded components remain clean and of accurate shape and dimension as they are brought together.

Abstract: The invention provides a means whereby a body such as that of a butterfly valve can be prepared with minimal machining. The manufacture of a butterfly valve is described in which the stem openings for the valve are left in their as-cast condition, the stem bushings inserted, aligned with a stem replica and then permanently locked in aligned position by filling the voids between the bushings and the walls of their openings with the same elastomeric compound from which the valve seat is molded. The compound, after curing or setting, being of such thin wall section that for all practical purposes it is a rigid material.

Abstract: A mold assembly for making fluid seals. The mold includes an outside diameter surface on a fixed part and a seal flange support surface on another portion of the fixed part. A seal casing with a shouldered mounting flange having major and minor outside diameters and a radial flange is positioned in the fixed mold part. A movable mold member includes an upper, outer cylindrical surface for engaging the inside surface of the casing major diameter to form a flash barrier which moves during mold closure. Both the fixed mold part and the movable mold part include inwardly directed surfaces defining the mold cavity; the flange support is apertured for the elastomer to flow from the seal body-forming part of the cavity to the heel gasket-forming part of the cavity. The heel-forming cavity part lies between the lower part of the inside surface of the mold and the outer surface of the casing minor diameter.

Abstract: The invention is a mold adapted for forming a member from a thermoset or thermoplastic resin about a substrate at a distance from the end of the substrate without leaking of the thermoplastic or thermoset material onto the portion of the substrate between the end and the starting point of the member being formed about the substrate, wherein the mold comprises(A) a mold casing adapted for forming a member from a thermoset or thermoplastic material about a substrate at a distance from the end of the substrate,(B) an inflatable seal adapted for forming a seal about the substrate when inflated at a distance from the end of the substrate such that the thermoset or thermoplastic material is contained to the area of the substrate about which the member is to be formed,(C) a means for inflating the seal such that the seal can form a seal about the substrate at a distance from the end of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of producing an oil seal comprises the following steps: a slicing step in which a seal ring is sliced from an end of a tubular billet of a resin material in a predetermined axial thickness; a fixing step in which the radially outer portion of the seal ring is fixed in the support member; and a bending-out/thread-forming step in which the radially inner portion of the seal ring is bent out of the plane of the radially outer portion of the seal ring thereby forming a tubular seal lip, and sequentially after forming of this seal lip, a screw thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular seal lip. The fixing step is conducted by a press having an upper die and a lower die, in which the seal ring is fixed in the support member.

Abstract: A method for bonding silicone rubber to a metal member is shown in which the metal member is first treated by heating the metal member to a temperature and for a time sufficient to form an oxide layer on the outer surface of the metal member. The treated metal member is then contacted with an uncured silicone rubber composition, and the silicone rubber composition is cured to bond the treated metal member to the silicone rubber composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite seal assembly. A primary sealing ring in generally frustoconical form is cut from a cylindrical billet of a resinous fluorocarbon material so as to have first and second principal surfaces each inclined with respect to the axis of the billet. The ring thus formed is supported against movement by disposing a relatively rigid annular casing unit adjacent the ring, with the ring lying within the casing opening, and bonding the casing element to the seal ring by molding an elastomeric collar of thin cross-section between a portion of the second surface of the ring and a part of said casing.

Abstract: A method of making a shaft seal ring starts with a tube, optionally provided on its outside and/or inside with hydrodynamically-acting return elements, as may be cut from a hollow cylinder. The tube is axially slipped along a form with a continuously increasing diameter until its leading or lower end is shaped into a flange in the radial direction. The flange may be simultaneously joined to a reinforcing ring.

Abstract: A thread of a fluid material for gasket manufacture is deposited onto a non-planar, non-adhesive support sheet (12) from a nozzle (22) that is displaced above the support along a path corresponding to the outline of the gasket, with subsequent curing of the fluid material. The support sheet is prepared by pressing sheet material into a tridimensional shape whereby its surface contains the non-planar outline of the gasket to be manufactured; the shaped support is positioned with respect to a nozzle carried by a manipulator (20) capable of being controlled to move the nozzle with respect to the support along three independent spatial coordinates; and the nozzle is fed with said fluid material while being displaced along said non-planar outline. Preferably, the support sheet is kept flattened by vacuum against an underlying, matching surface.

Abstract: A multipart mold assembly for removably receiving a casing unit and positioning the casing so as to form, in combination with at least one of the mold parts, a cavity having the shape of an element to be formed in the mold and bonded to the casing. One mold part has a surface defining part of the shape of said cavity, and a casing skirt support surface forms another part of the cavity. A flash barrier is formed along a part of the skirt casing when a clamping ring formed from a plurality of individual clamping ring elements engages the surface of said casing skirt and urges it into fluid-tight relation with the casing support surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for molding an elastomeric component of a shaft seal while bonding it to a fluorocarbon seal lip member. The lip member is initially shaped as a flat washer, and a radially outer portion is flexed during molding to a frustoconical shape. Positive retention of the fluorocarbon washer during molding is assured. Radially inner portion of the fluorocarbon washer rests on a planar annular mold ledge, its radially outer portion overhanging a frustoconical mold surface. A ring of uncured elastomer is located above that radially outer portion and radially inwardly from the outer periphery of the ledge. The radially inner portion has a horizontal toothed mold portion with a series of concentric sharp tooth edges. This directly engages the upper surface of the washer and clamps it firmly and immovably against the ledge. When the mold is closed, the elastomer flows and forces the outer portion of the washer down on frustoconical mold surface while bonding elastomer to washer.

Abstract: A method for dispensing viscous materials is described in which a quill having a fluted insert comprise end portions having a small radius of curvature. The viscous material is extruded from the collet, brought into contact with the article on which the material is to be deposited, and then removed leaving a hollow figure of material having approximately the same shape as the cross-section of the quill.

Abstract: A method for molding an annular lip type shaft seal 10 of the type having an annular elastomeric shaft seal element 12 and a resin liner 14 (preferably polytetrafluoroethylene) integrally molded therewith and bonded thereto, including providing a step or shoulder 36 on the mold core 26 to prevent the resin liner 14 from flowing axially beyond a predetermined location during molding. The method includes providing a certain range of acute angles ".alpha." between the shoulder surface 42 and the liner forming surface 38 of the mold core surface 34, and a certain range of shoulder heights "d" relative to the liner thickness "t", for various values of the initial viscosity of the elastomeric preform 18. The percentage of rejects due to undesired flow of the resin liner 14 during molding has been greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method of molding an elastomeric resilient ring member having a generally +-shape comprising the steps of providing a mold having a pair of mold halves, each having an exposed annular mold cavity therein, the surface defining each of the cavities comprising first and second inwardly directed lobes extending at a 90.degree. angle to each other from the inner corners of the cavity, at 45.degree. angles to the plane of the cavity; and using such a mold for molding, in a conventional manner, a resilient ring member.

Abstract: A molding press for insert molding of composite articles. The press has upper and lower plates movable between open and closed positions, and a die set positioned between the plates. The die set includes a core member with surfaces defining a portion of the molding cavity and another surface for receiving and supporting the insert. The core member also includes means defining a part of an area for receiving a charge of curable material and a part of a scrap forming cavity. A second mold member has surfaces defining a second portion of the article forming cavity and a second portion of said strap forming cavity, and the second mold member also includes means for engaging the insert and cooperating with it to form an axially movable flash barrier. The second mold part also has means cooperating with the insert to form a second, stationary flash barrier on an angularly related surface of the insert.

Abstract: An improved metal encased radial-type oil shaft seal of either single or dual lip construction wherein the primary seal lip is polytetrafluoroethylene--or the like and is bonded and mechanically interlocked to the metal case by an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A method for making a shaft seal of the type including an elastomeric body and a polytetrafluoroethylene sealing element comprising inserting a metal shell (if employed in the seal), a synthetic rubber blank prep form and a polytetrafluoroethylene sealing element into a transfer or compression mold, and then closing the mold to simultaneously form a sealing lip portion of the polytetrafluoroethylene sealing element into the desired shape, mold the rubber into the desired shape and bond the rubber to the shell (if used) and to the anchor portion of the polytetrafluoroethylene sealing element.

Abstract: A method for making an annular shaft seal of the type having an elastomeric sealing element bonded to a metal shell having a guard or scraper portion having a sharp I.D. edge, in which the sharp I.D. edge is formed or "pierced" during the molding process simultaneously with the elastomeric sealing element being molded and bonded to the shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming packing rings from substantially any type of loose or ribbon fiber packing material are disclosed. The apparatus utilizes a plurality of concentric cylindrical members to produce the different sized packing rings, with the number of cylindrical members in use remaining constant regardless of the size of the packing ring produced. The method allows for the use of either ribbon or loose fiber packing material to be compressed into a packing ring of any desired size within the capability of the apparatus.

Abstract: An injection mold cavity is sealed at the mold parting line using a highly exact, narrow annular gap or clearance which restricts flash through of the molten plastic. The seal is designed for molds having a rotatable pin and comprises a fixed seating ring which seats with the mold cavity element, and a journable seal ring having a precisely machined seal face which is narrowly spaced from the lip of the mold cavity and defines the gap dimension with the assistance of the seating ring. The rings float at a unit against a resilient component which controls the seating pressure of the assembly independently of the clamping force of the mold. The foregoing components are unitized within a clamp ring under a preload compressive force with the critical gap dimension precisely built into the unit.

Abstract: A method of applying an integral sealing member to a shaped surface which in its operative environment is to be disposed in sealed relationship with another surface and the resulting products. The method comprises dispensing a composition adapted to be cured to form said sealing member onto a work surface adapted to be adjusted to a desired configuration, partially curing said composition such that it does not flow, adjusting the disposition of said work surface bearing the partially cured composition such that said shaped surface to which the sealing member is to be integrally bonded may be disposed along said work surface, positioning said shaped surface along said work surface such that said shaped surface is at least in contact with said partially cured composition, completing the curing of said composition and removing said shaped surface with said sealing member integrally bonded thereto from said work surface.

Abstract: A mold for forming O-ring seals free of flash at their inside and outside diameters. The mold includes a first mold section having a frustrum extending from a surface thereof and a second mold section having a cavity for receiving said frustrum, said frustrum and recess having annular grooves juxtaposed to define a mold cavity for an O-ring seal. Mating surfaces of the frustrum and recess act to seal one side of the cavity while spaced surfaces on the opposite side of the cavity define an annular orifice extending into said mold cavity. The mold further includes a loading chamber and means for injecting a seal composition through said orifice into said mold cavity for curing.

Abstract: Combined mould element and sealing ring suitable for sealing off a joint between a socket end and an insert end of two cooperating pipes formed from thermoplastic material and for being used as a portion of a body of a mould for both fabricating the socket end of the one pipe and simultaneously inserting the ring in an internal groove in the socket end produced thereby. The main bulk of the sealing ring is composed of elastically yielding material having within its contour at least one zone composed of relatively non-elastic material capable of rendering the zone stable as regards its shape compared with the remainder of the ring. Conveniently, such zones are formed by stiffening rings permanently connected to the main bulk of the sealing ring.

Abstract: A seal for a duct terminator, that is adapted to be formed with an underground utility vault, is secured to the bell-mouth portion of the duct terminator, and is operative to facilitate the molding of the utility vault, and after being embedded in the utility vault, provides additional seals to prevent water from entering the utility vault. The seal is an endless, flexible member having a generally H-shaped cross-section, with two of the legs of said seal being adapted to engage the bell-mouth end of the duct terminator, while the other two legs are embedded in the concrete vault so as to provide two sealing or water stop means to prevent water from entering the vault when the latter is subjected to thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A press and vacuum box combination for manufacturing articles from fluent, curable or hardenable material within a vacuum atmosphere, especially designed to provide access to the mold parts, optimum article handling and improved safety. The press has side frame members, a cross head lying in a horizontal plane and extending between the side frame members, an axially reciprocable ram movable between raised and lowered positions, a platen associated with the cross head and a platen associated with the ram. A mold part is associated with each of said platens, and the mold parts are arranged for movement between opened and closed positions. In the closed position, the mold parts define at least one cavity having the shape of an article to be molded in the press. One of the platens has means at one edge thereof for hingedly mounting the platen for movement between raised and lowered positions with respect to the cross head. Means are associated with the cross head for supporting the hinged mounting means.

Abstract: A pair of matched metal dies one of which moves against the other to form a mold to contain, and to apply pressure to a part and to pinch off excess material on the part. The lower die has a recess with all the sides of the recess canted outward in two steps. The upper die when inserted contacts the lower canted sides of the lower die.

Abstract: A molding machine for producing products of a rubber-like resilient material, particularly oil seals in which a first mold part is stationarily supported in axial spaced relation to a main base, a base between the main base and first mold part is axially movable toward and away from the first mold part and supports a second complementary mold part, a holder between and axially spaced from the first and second mold parts is mounted for limited axial movement and rotary movement in a plane parallel to the first and second mold parts, with the holder carrying two diametrically opposite further mold parts spaced apart an equal distance from the axis of the rotary movement and one of the further mold parts being in substantially registry with the first and second mold parts so that movement of the base relative to the holder brings the second mold part into operative relation to the one further mold part and continued movement of the movable base moves the holder toward the first mold part until the first mold par

Abstract: A mold assembly for injection molding of precision composite articles, which is particularly adapted for use in making highly precise oil seals having a rubber body bonded to a metal mounting flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing fluid seals, which includes first and second mold parts movable along a given axis between open and closed positions. One mold part has a radially extending mold surface adapted to receive and support one surface of the flange portion of an insert to which a molded part of the seal is to be bonded, and the other mold part has a portion adapted to engage an opposite surface of the flange to hold the flange against the receiving and supporting mold surface to prevent leakage of fluid material from said cavity along the flange.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an oil seal element from polytetrafluoroethylene and the like. A tubular billet of polytetrafluoroethylene or the like is provided with inner and outer cylindrical surfaces approximating the desired diameter, and an end wall is faced off perpendicular to the cylindrical surfaces. A series of washers of a desired thickness is then sliced from the billet. In one form of the invention, each washer may next be cut to exactly the desired inner and outer diameter, and, simultaneously, spiral grooves or other hydrodynamic shapes may be formed on one face of each washer, leading from the inner periphery of each washer for a desired distance toward the outer periphery; this may be done by using a novel blank-pierce-coining die that both trims the seal and coins the groove between a pair of metal surfaces at very heavy pressure to permanently deform the material in these surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding an article such as finished seal of known type, comprising a flexible member bonded to a rigid element. During conventional manufacture, the rigid element is clamped between upper and lower seal-forming molding elements and, in many instances, after engagement of the rigid element, continued traveling of the upper and lower molding elements toward each other is used to provide a "closed stroke". In the closed stroke operation of the present invention, the continued traveling in the closed stroke stage requires no substantial deformation or shaping of the rigid element.An apparatus and method is disclosed in which the molding elements include an outer movable, biased, annular casing engaging element, for example a ring, which is biased in an extended position. The ring is retractable against the bias during the continued travel of the molding elements in the closed stroke.

Abstract: A shaft seal (and method for making the same) of the type having an annular elastomeric body, a molded lip, and the molded lip having a liner of sintered polytetrafluoroethylene bonded thereto. The elastomer is molded simultaneously with the polytetrafluoroethylene liner being formed and bonded to the elastomer. The method for making the seal employs the same mold used to make common, molded lip elastomeric seals.